Dagatan Climb

Dagatan Climb
September 4-5, 2004
Mount San Cristobal

I woke up by the buzzing sound of my alarm clock, which was set just several hours ago. I just remembered staying-up late the night before packing all things needed for the climb. I understand, I will be bringing all logistics, that never I have done before, including one extra tent for my two climbing partners! After breakfast and a quick shower, I am up and about ready to go.

Late Ascent

My buddy and me took a jeepney ride to our assembly point. We arrived there at exactly 6:00 AM. After about 45 minutes of waiting, our other buddy arrived. We prepared several things more including extra load distribution for the tent and other camping stuff. Assured and ready, we proceeded and started the trek. I realized we are 1 hour late of our original IT.

Loads

Due to lack of packroom, my 2 climbing buddies were both carrying other logistics with their hands. And so, even though I don’t like the idea of holding something during the trek, I offered my help to them and get one of their holding loads. We arrived at "kakawa" complex at around 9:00 AM. With just a short rest stop, we proceeded with our trek to "Braulla approach". Realizing that my buddy is having a hard time carrying his water container, I switched load with him getting both of my hands busy carrying the water container on our trek.

Several minutes later, the established trail slowly vanished which kept us from calculating and searching the right track to "Braulla approach" was. Twice, we got lost and over-passed the right trail to "Braulla approach". It was around 10:30 in the morning when we finally touched ground with "Braulla approach".

The Assault

We again rearranged our loads leaving still with me load from my other buddy. I can clearly see those humongous "cogon" grasses which we are about to cross on our "Braulla" assault. I grabbed my arm warmer and goggles to wear them. As we began the assault, I really felt the discomfort of not using my other hand. I was still holding the load from my buddy. Helplessly I was, I decided to tie the load on my pack with a string. Finally I got my both hands free from any load! The whole time during assault I told myself over again not to underestimate any mountain. While my sweat flows continuously out of my entire body, I very well recognized that familiar pain I always felt during climbs apparently blaming ownself for failing to prepare physically on the activity. With no signs of path and some trail markers on tree branches oftentimes vanished, we crawled on 45˚ loose- soil ridge wall, nothing to cling on but just friendly "teka-teka" shrubs. With spikes on the shrubs’ trunks and leaves repeatedly hurting both my hands everytime I clung on them, and the vanished path we are taking, never knowing where will it leads us, the "teka-teka" shrubs holding back my backpack everytime I passed on them, the feeling of adventure to personally challenge ownself has nearly being tossed over my mind. Surrender is the next thing I recalled I told to my ownself. That I cannot push myself to the limit anymore. I can feel my left knee aching as if there was a twisted ligament everytime I put weight on it during crawls. I am not invincible as I think I was before. Now I clearly realize and understand that! As I realized that going back is neither an option, I patiently and like a good child, humbly crawled my way up taking pains and sufferings aside. After about two hours of assault, by 12:30 PM, I requested them to stop and have lunch. After lunch was a refreshing drink from the water container I carried earlier that I noticed already half pass the container and we haven’t even midway of the assault!

We got lost two more times before we arrived at "Tansahan" After few minutes of rest, around 1:30 PM we go on and proceed with the assault. After a while, my left quadriceps cramped. I slowed down even more not to bring my cramping quad to hell. We crossed one big gully and crossed 2 medium sized ones then again got lost! Without trail and with very little visuals due to fog, we trail-blazed and went further north. By around 3 o’clock, I finally saw the peak in a distant.

Welcome Shower

As we approached the peak, rain started to pour really hard. I was even thankful of the rain rather than become disappointed upon reaching the peak because it’s the perfect time we can replenish our draining water supply. Instead of settling-in, all three of us unanimously decided to check-out the "Dagatan crater" down below. As we descent and still raining very hard, I could hear voices shouting helplessly as water pour endlessly on tall trees leaving no single space for shelter. There were visitors down by the crater!

We were told that visitors took the Dolores trail. All wet and getting cold, they decided to go back to Dolores before dusk. Realizing we can not choose a good campsite by the crater, we decided to went up again at the peak camp. By 3:30 in the afternoon and still showering, we pitched our tents and finally settled-in. At 4:30, I started to prepare our early diner to get ready for the much needed restful night sleep. We had a very satisfying diner. I repeatedly thank the Lord for His graces.

Restful Sleep

After a little chat with my buddy, we altogether retired and slept the night away on our respective tents. Inside my tent, I could still feel that soothing cold air blowing over me. Rain showered occasionally that I could hear drops knocking on our shelters. It was cold that night. By 3:30 early Sunday morning, we got-up have some hot soup and then go back to sleep again. It was already 6:00 o’clock. My buddy got out of his tent and together we prepare more hot soup to sooth our freezing bodies.

Calculated Descent

We had breakfast at 8:00 AM and broke camp by 9:30 AM. After packing before our descent, we still took time of enjoying the place as we again thank the good Lord for this extraordinary opportunity. We left the camp at exactly 10:15 AM.
More familiar with the trail, we arrived "Tansahan" by 10:45 AM. "Tansahan" – "Braulla approach" descent was just about 2 hours. So we arrived at "Braulla approach" several minutes before 1:00 PM. On our way from Braulla approach to Kakawa, we took some pictures of the landscapes and even ate native pomelo and guava during stops. Several minutes before 2:00 PM, we proceeded to Mang Amboy’s farm beside "Kakawa complex" and had our bountiful lunch with buko and Lacatan bananas courtesy of our host. After a little chat with Mang Amboy, we continue our trek down taking the San Francisco route this time. We touched ground at our expected destination in San Francisco 45 minutes later.

If there’s something I learned from this climb, it’s patience and more patience during climb. Relaxing while trekking will give you more benefit than harm.